However, there's a loophole in Einstein's general theory of relativity that could allow a ship to traverse vast distances in less time than it would take light. The trick? It's not the starship that's moving — it's the space around it.

It might be more accurate (and less headline grabbing) to say that they're looking at shining a laser between casimir plates hoping to find evidence of the negative energy that's required to exist for the Alcubierre warp drive to work. It's about as far from an actual ftl drive as burning oil is from the internal combustion engine. And to stretch the analogy a bit further, up til now they keep dropping the matches so the only new news here is that they've got hold of something to steady their nerves so real soon now they'll be able to tell us if oil is flammable or not. Let me hold onto my excitement until they're able to answer that question.

However, there's a loophole in Einstein's general theory of relativity that could allow a ship to traverse vast distances in less time than it would take light. The trick? It's not the starship that's moving — it's the space around it.

So, would it be like jumping into the air here on Earth, and holding that position while the world turned under you? You could go all the way round in 24 hours.... ;-)